On the patio~ feeling blue

On the patio~ feeling blue - How do you define an 'obsession'? Is is because you can't stop thinking about a certain something? Or maybe that you see ...

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

How do you define an 'obsession'?

Is is because you can't stop thinking about a certain something?

Or maybe that you see that certain something everywhere.you.go.
because it grabs your attention?

And when you do see it,

you rationalize that you must bring just one more piece home with you

and that it isn't too much. There is always room for one more, right?

Because, well... you are obsessed.

I am okay with that.
I admit it and quite honestly, I have more than a few obsessions.
And sometimes, they start with the most random of all things.
Like a single piece of blue and white pottery.
I have had blue and white planters for years. I love them. And I even had a couple other pieces like that vase and a few thrift store dishes and what not.
But it wasn't enough to really give me the look I wanted.
And so, the obsession started.
The obsession with the blue & white AND with finding those perfect pieces to create the look.

I have been having a love affair with the blues here at French Country Cottage in April.

From blue glass,

to transferware and Blue Willow

to a bouquet of ranunculus in a blue planter on the dining room table.

So, naturally, I have been spotting blues and opportunities to add them

everywhere I go.

I bumped into these blue and white containers and urns while shopping a few weeks ago

(okay, I didn't 'bump' into them.

I was looking for them)

;)

But when I found them,

I was excited to find 4 different sizes and styles on the shelf.

It was like they were waiting for me.

How could I possibly NOT bring them home?
Especially when they were all marked on clearance.

And they were the perfect sizes and shapes and bold colors and I swear,
I might have even heard one of them talk to me and say, yes, you need to put us in the cart.

It would have been criminal to leave even one of them behind, right?

But really, I did have a vision for a new look on the patio that started with that original blue pitcher.

I already had a few pieces of blue & white pottery that I had placed on the mantel,

but they weren't bringing enough height or the look I wanted.

So enter a few different styles to mix in- some that were just a bit taller

and some that were more varied in shape.

And they each have a little bit different pattern - but with that same bold and blue coloring.

They were perfect.

The blooms inside of the vase are Snowball Viburnum

which are actually from a tree- and they are such a vibrant shade of green

much like the green on Granny Smith apples.

I also brought a few more touches of green with rosemary

and boxwood plants and placed in some of the

blue and white pots that I already had on hand.

I am loving the new brighter, bolder look out here and it is inspiring

16 comments

You can't go wrong with blue and white and your outdoor fireplace is a perfect spot for those found vases. THey were just callling out to you and now they have a perfect home all together. All summer long you will be looking up there and being grateful that you didn't pass them up. I heard a saying once...it isn't the things you buy that you regret but the things you have passed up. That's happened to me before since I am from a rural town with zero shopping. When I do go to a bigger place and I pass up a pretty object I kick myself when I get back home. So my new philosophy is buy it anyway and you will find a place for it because you love it.

Your vision and obsession look lovely! Your photographs are gorgeous! I've been seeing a lot of the same blue and white pottery and have purchased a few. My current obsession is with chime clocks and white ironstone along with antique corbels. Awwww. our obsessions with decorating are so.....much fun!

Wow, what a timely post for me! I have never liked blue and white, grew up with it and have hated any blue in decor ever since. Until now. I don't know what happened, but about a month ago I saw a pin and started ob.sess.ing over changing my French Country red and white FR to blue and white! We are on the same wavelength! (I even wrote a blog post about my angst!) And your patio looks adorable, by the way! I've been spying a container much like those on Wisteria, might have to buy it now:)

Will you share where you find the great blue and white pieces. They are hard to find these days. I have some great pieces but always looking for more. Love your snowball bush. I don't have much sun so it is difficult to grow and I love them so!